Korean J Dermatol.  1993 Jun;31(3):320-328.

Cyclosporine in the treatment of psoriasis

• Youn J
• Moon SE
• Kim DW
• Park ES
• Moon DC
• Kim YK
• Bang DS
• Han SK
• Choi JH
• Park MY
• Chun IK
• Kim HU

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is belived to be a disorder of keratinocyte hyperproliferation mediated by T helper cells. Cyclosproine is one of the immunosuppressants and there have been several studies showing the benefcial effects of cyclosporine on psoriasis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical efficacy, tolerability, and adverse effects of cyclosporine, a randomized open uncontrolled multicenter study was conducted in 15 university hospitals in Korea. METHOD: There were 68 total trial cases and among them 16 patients dropped out from the study. The reported reasons for stopping the use of the medication under study prematurely were lack of cooperation(seven cases), adverse effects(six cases), the ineffectiveness of the medication(two cases), and another(one case). The drug was administered for 18 weeks to 52 patients. The initial dosage of the drug was 2.5mg/kg/day which was maintained or increased to 4mg/kg/day or 5mg/kg/day according to the PASI score reduction rate at the 6th and 12th week. The PASI score was measured and Iaboratory tests and observation of adverse events were done.
RESULTS
At the end of therapy PASI score reduction rate of more than 66% occured in 40 patients (76.9%). The PASI score was significantly reduced from 20.0 to 5.4 after treatment for 18 weeks. The social disability score was significantly decreased. Pruritus and nail involvement were also significantly decreased. The change of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were statistically not significant. The 30% increase of serum creatinine level compared to the baseline was observed in six patients(11.5%) at the 6th week, three patients(5.8%) at the 12th week, five patients(9.6%) at the 18th week, but no patients showed an increase above the normal range.The increase of serum total bilirubin and SGOT was observed in six patients(11.5%) and one patient(1.9%0, respectively. The clinical adverse events reported during the study were gastrointestinal trouble(seven cases, 13.5%), hypertrichosis(two cases, 3.8%), generalized weakness(two cases, 3.8%0, paresthesia(one case, 1.9%), hypertension(one case, 1.9%), disturbance of erection(one case, 1.9%). The overall assessment of efficacy and tolerability by investigator and patients were mostly good or very good.
CONCLUSION
Generally cyclosporine was well accepted and tolerated and low dose cyclosporine therapy-2.5mg/kg/day to 5mg/kg/day-is an effective therapeutic modality for the treatment of psoriasis.

MeSH Terms

Aspartate Aminotransferases
Bilirubin
Blood Pressure
Creatinine
Cyclosporine*
Hospitals, University
Humans
Immunosuppressive Agents
Keratinocytes
Korea
Pruritus
Psoriasis*
Research Personnel
T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer
Aspartate Aminotransferases
Bilirubin
Creatinine
Cyclosporine
Immunosuppressive Agents